A new survey has suggested that employees in the UK have become less satisfied with their working environment over the course of the past 12 months.

The study, which could add more weight to the case for allowing staff to work from home, shows that more British workers are satisfied with their wages, but less are happy with where they work.

Furthermore, the number of people who are dissatisfied with the relationships they have with their bosses and colleagues has risen since last year, according to a recent poll by disability insurance firm Unum.

"As there is much evidence to suggest happy workers are more productive, employers really need to take action to increase employee satisfaction where possible," said Unum’s corporate services director Joanne Hindle.

"Benefits, work-life balance, an employee’s sense of autonomy and company culture also have a vital role to play and need to be taken seriously by organisations that want to stay competitive."

A report from ntl:Telewest recently suggested that the trend towards home-based working in is "gathering pace" around the UK.